An escape-prone criminal who has spent nearly every Christmas for more than a decade in jail was given a chance to enjoy it as a free man - but only after apologising for his grumpy behaviour.

David Pattinson, 27, appeared in the dock at Carlisle Crown Court in handcuffs because he was so abusive to security staff.

When Judge Peter Davies sternly told him he would not tolerate court staff being spoken to in that way, the defendant weakly attempted to excuse his "cantankerous" behaviour.

"I'm stressed out, your honour – I've been in prison for nine weeks,” he began telling the judge.

But Judge Davies ordered him to be silent, or face being immediately removed from the court.

Prosecutor Gerard Rogerson then outlined the offence that the defendant, from Botcherby Avenue, Botcherby, Carlisle, had earlier admitted – escaping from lawful custody after being arrested by a police officer on September 30 in Ravenstone Way, Morton West, Carlisle.

Police officers arrived there as part of an investigation into a theft and burglary, and they suspected Pattinson of being involved.

A woman police officer put the defendant in handcuffs, cautioned him, and told him what would happen next.

Mr Rogerson said: “He became agitated, and said to her [the officer]: 'No way can I come with you. I'm rattling... But he then kissed his partner goodbye, and walked to the rear of the police van,” said Mr Rogerson.

At this point, he flung his arms in the air and then ran off.

The lawyer said: “He was found 25 minutes later further down Ravenstone Way, hiding in a garden behind a bush.

"From this point onwards, he cooperated. He later told police that he had not been feeling well and did not want to be in police custody in that state."

The court heard that the defendant had a long criminal record, which included a previous escape offence in 2015, when Pattinson was showing two police officers where he had hidden stolen goods in a factory.

Paul Tweddle, for Pattinson, said his client, who had spent nine weeks in jail on remand after his latest escape, had a long-term addiction to heroin. He had lapsed back into heroin use and had a difficult childhood in the care system.

He had also suffered from the condition attention deficit disorder.

The lawyer added: “He's spent most Christmases in prison since the age of 16 and he wants to change. He wants to be with his partner.”

Noting the time Pattinson had spent in custody – the equivalent of a four month jail term – Judge Davies told him: “People who escape from the police; who abuse officers, and who make their difficult job intolerable, go to custody...

“I really don't want to see you again.

"I want you to apologise to the lady [security worker]. Nobody deserves to be spoken to like that. You should be ashamed.”

Asked how he would feel if somebody spoke so rudely to his partner, who sat in the public gallery, the defendant said: “I'd beat them up, your honour."

The judge said: "I'm going to give you a chance - but it's your last chance.”

He imposed a two year community order, with a three month 7pm to 7am curfew, and 30 days of rehabilitation. He must also keep an appointment with the Unity drug organisation.

Pattinson was not charged over the alleged theft and burglary.